Patriots are ‘shopping’ Dugger ahead of cutdown day

Kyle Dugger’s tenure in Foxborough might be coming to a close.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are “shopping” Dugger ahead of Tuesday’s deadline of cutting the roster down to 53 players. 

“While Dugger thrived in New England and eventually earned a 4-year, $58M contract extension, the new staff appears to view him differently,” Rapoport posted on X Sunday. “He’s played deep into preseason games.”

As Rapoport noted, Dugger’s usage has shifted so far this summer as Mike Vrabel and new defensive coordinator Terrell Williams have augmented New England’s defense. 

An established starter in New England ever since the team drafted him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Lenoir–Rhyne, Dugger has seen his stock plummet on the Patriots’ depth chart over the last few weeks.

As of late, Dugger has primarily logged reps with both the second-team and scout-team defensive units during practices — while also playing well into the fourth quarter during New England’s preseason games against the Vikings and Giants.

Dugger did fare well in those preseason outings with a pair of interceptions — including a few pass breakups during that road matchup against New York. Still, it wasn’t a good sign that an established veteran in Dugger was playing alongside multiple Patriots players who are likely set to get cut before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. 

“I try not to think about it,” Dugger said Thursday of his uncertain spot on New England’s roster. “I try to use the opportunities that I have to get back to playing fast and getting those reps.”

This is not the first time that Dugger has been linked to trade rumors this preseason, as Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reported last week that both Dugger and linebacker Anfernee Jennings were available in a trade. 

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s game against New York, Vrabel pushed back when asked by 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Scott Zolak about those trade rumors. 

“I don’t know, you reported a lot of things that may not have been true,” Vrabel told 98.5’s Scott Zolak, according to MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “So I wouldn’t put a lot of stock in the reports that go around. You know that better than anybody.”

Even with Dugger’s clear slide down the depth chart, Vrabel did acknowledge after that lopsided loss to the Giants that Dugger has impressed during preseason action. 

“I think he has continued to take advantage of the opportunities and the reps. I think he’s beginning to feel more comfortable,” Vrabel said. “We talked about a long rehab process in the offseason that he committed to, but it wasn’t a quick rehab process. He had surgery.

“I think that he’s gotten better. I think he’s improved,” the coach added. “I think he’s feeling better. It looks like he’s feeling better on tape. That’s good to see. Those are all positive things.” 

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.